Amid heightened political unrest in Bangladesh, a blast struck the Ummal Qura International Madrasa in the Hasnabad area of South Keraniganj, on the outskirts of Dhaka, on Friday afternoon. The explosion left at least four people injured, including women and children, according to local police officials.
Authorities said the blast caused extensive damage to the single-storey madrasa building, raising alarm over the presence of hazardous materials at an educational religious institution.
The explosion blew apart the walls of several rooms inside the madrasa, causing the collapse of at least two rooms used for classes and accommodation. Cracks were also reported in the roof and supporting columns of the structure, while a neighbouring building developed visible structural damage.
Local residents said the madrasa housed around 50 students, though no classes were in session at the time of the blast, which likely prevented a higher number of casualties.
During a preliminary search of the premises, police recovered crude cocktails, chemical substances, and other materials commonly associated with bomb-making. The recovery has intensified suspicions that explosive devices were being assembled or stored inside the madrasa.
Superintendent of Police Mizanur Rahman said the exact cause of the explosion was still under investigation, but confirmed that forensic teams were examining the recovered materials to determine their composition and origin.
According to local residents, the building had been rented for the past three years by Mufti Harun, who later transferred management of the madrasa to his brother-in-law, identified as Al Amin. The property owner, Parveen Begum, told authorities that she was unaware of any illegal or dangerous activities being carried out on the premises.
Police said statements were being recorded from the property owner, madrasa management, and local witnesses to establish responsibility and assess whether negligence or criminal intent was involved.
Following the blast, security agencies cordoned off the area to prevent further risk and to allow investigators to conduct a detailed search. Bomb disposal and forensic teams were deployed to ensure no additional explosive material remained at the site.
Officials said the investigation would focus on identifying who stored or manufactured the explosive substances, whether the madrasa was being misused for unlawful activities, and whether the incident is linked to the broader unrest gripping the country.
The madrasa blast comes at a time when Bangladesh is witnessing widespread protests, violence, and political instability, raising concerns about law and order and the possible misuse of religious or educational spaces.
